Laboratory head
Research projects, Student research and Clinical studies
Meet the team
Postdoctoral Fellows
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Research coordinators
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Students
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About us
The Clinical Diabetes and Epidemiology team pursues two complementary research directions that together provide a comprehensive picture of diabetes — from population trends to individual patient care.
Understanding the global diabetes epidemic
Our first focus relates to the epidemiology of type 2 diabetes. We examine trends in the prevalence and incidence of diabetes — predominantly type 2 — in Australia and around the world. Work in this area, pioneered by Professor Paul Zimmet, has been instrumental in demonstrating the rapid growth of the emerging global diabetes epidemic.
The surveys we conduct provide rich data for investigating a range of established and novel risk factors for diabetes and its complications. Lifestyle factors have been studied extensively and remain an important target for intervention. We also have a particular interest in the impact of diabetes on Indigenous populations, where the burden of disease is disproportionately high.
From population data to patient care
Our second focus capitalises on the large patient population in our Diabetes Clinic — one of the largest diabetes clinics in the southern hemisphere. This unique resource allows us to examine novel treatments through clinical trials and gather observational data on real-world responses to therapies. By studying how treatments perform in everyday clinical practice, we can identify what works best for different patient groups.
This dual approach — combining population-level epidemiology with clinic-based research — ensures our work informs both public health policy and individual patient treatment.
Community engagement
We collaborate with the Baker Institute's Community Engagement Group to embed meaningful consumer and community voices into our research and clinical care. This engagement has helped shape our study direction, refine recruitment and messaging, and support more relevant, accessible and impactful outcomes for people living with diabetes and those at risk of developing the condition.
